Letters: An Inevitable Conversation

Japayuki: A Novel

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

It's Definitely Not Going To Be Kansas Anymore

I have been reading with
interest, and growing concern, the stories coming out of Europe pertaining to
the refugees from Syria (and other countries). I find it interesting only
because this tit for tat, Muslim/Christian tug of war, well, check that, all
out war for control of (now) Europe has been going on now for centuries. The first
Christian Crusades against the Muslims was in 1096, and we all know why that was launched, right?
No!? Why because Egypt, Syria, North Africa, were Christian nations, well,
at least until Muslims conquered them. And? The papacy just was not going to
stand for that. And so, as the classic line goes, the rest is a sad history of hegemonic
masculinity, religious extremist fundamentalist arrogance, ignorance, stubbornness,
and well, chest thumping. Yes, all continues merrily on (it actually never stopped), and
it seems it's the Christian's, and Jew's turn to thwart off a Muslim invasion. Good
luck with that, guys.

But, I'm just curious; am
I the only one who saw this coming? And for those Americans who are not
concerned, who believe they will only be bystanders in all this, how tinted are
those glasses?

But maybe they're right
not to worry (too much) for, somehow, some way, countries, governments,
societies, will weather the fighting (as they have in the past), the destruction, the deaths, on both
sides. Victories will be claimed; new flags will wave, new social orders
instilled, but life will continue. And, no matter who wins or loses. No matter
who gains what stretch of land, this time. The minds will continue to work. New strategies
will be drawn out. And someday, and it's anybody's guess as to when that day will be,
but mark this down somewhere, someday, just as they have for millions of years,
the two will clash once again.

But, here is the gist of
all this, and probably the comic relief side; all these battles, all these
claims to superiority dominance are waged in the name of God.

I would bet my life
savings (wait, I don't have one), I would give the National Treasury, to know
what God thinks of all this. My bet is She's laughing, no roaring.

If you are an American
citizen, pondering the coming Presidential elections, listening to Don, Bern,
Hill, Marc, Jeb, Ben, listen to the level of concern they're communicating regarding
the latest Muslims vs. Christians fracas. Listen to how they intend to deal
with tens of thousands of Muslims refugees heading to our shores,
looking forward to settling into these candidate's posh neighborhoods. I say their neighborhoods
only because this is America, land of opportunity and equality, I know they
don't intend to settle all these poor displaced people in urban Chicago, Los
Angeles, or New York. Hell, those places are dangerous! No, these people would be better served, they'd be more
comfortable in the suburbs, in the Hamptons, Forest Hills, Martha's Vineyard;
America needs to show these people our best side. Not our already overcrowded,
deteriorating inner city, uh, well, slums. Hell, Germany and other countries
are putting them up in five star hotels! We can at least do that much. Is the
Waldorf Astoria still open? Great opportunity for Trump to display a little foreign
diplomacy.

One last thing to ponder.
How many of these refugees are the Japanese accepting? China? Russia? Just
wondering.